Pathology for Massage Therapists
T
Tendonitis
Definition: inflammation
of a tendon or musculotendinous junction
Causes: overuse,
repetitive stress, improper healing, or tearing from sustained overloading
of muscle
Signs/Symptoms: pain,
persistent pain worse at night, pain referral, pain worse after use, muscle
weakness, inflammation, limited ROM; usually occurs where the tendon
attaches to the bone or where the muscle attaches to the tendon or in the
tendon.
Common areas: rotator cuff
tendonitis, infraspinatus tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow,
shin splints
Indications: Massage
as per your level of training. Trigger point treatments, relieve
inflammation, re-educate movement. Slow to heal because of lack of vascularity.
Contraindications:
Cortisone shots may be administered; Use caution
Types of Tendon Injuries by Whitney Lowe
Achilles Tendinosis
by Whitney Lowe
Golfer’s Elbow
By Ben Benjamin, Ph
-
Tennis Elbow
- By Ben Benjamin, PhD
Temporal Mandibular Joint Syndrome
Tenosynovitis
Definition: inflammation
of the tendon sheath - the gliding surface of the tendon and surrounding
sheath.
Causes: overuse,
repetitive motion, repetitive strain, improper posture, misalignment
Signs/Symptoms: pain,
inflammation, stiffness
Indications: Massage
as per your level of training; Reduce inflammation, relieve trigger
points, realign problem area
Contraindications: None;
Check for medications - steroids may be used in treatment.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Definition: compression
of fifth cranial nerve; may cause degeneration of nerve
Causes: vertebral
misalignment, cranial misalignment, TMJ
Signs/Symptoms: pain
in face area
Indications: Massage
for pain reduction, realign problem areas
Contraindications:
None. Refer to appropriate health care provider.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Definition: compression
of brachial nerve plexus; C8-T1; may also be referred to as Brachial Plexus
syndrome which may involve C5-C8.
Causes: tightness
in pectoral muscles, intercostals, muscles around clavicle, upper back,
neck; misalignment in one or all or these areas; disc protrusion or herniation,
fibromyalgia, degenerative changes in the spine causing nerve impingement,
inter-scalene triangle impingement, fibrositis of the cervical and shoulder
area,
Signs/Symptoms: pain
in arm, shoulder, hand, forearm; cold hands and fingers due to compression
of axillary artery
Indications: Massage;
realignment and release compression
Contraindications:
none; Refer to appropriate health care practitioner; Have clear diagnosis
to rule out neuritis.
see also massage
treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome
Thrombophlebitis
Definition: inflammation
of a vein
Causes: thrombus(blood
clot) from trauma, environmental allergies, lack of exercise and movement,
standing for long periods of time, aging, poor circulation, abnormal clotting
Signs/Symptoms: swelling,
pain, discoloration of the skin (bluish)
Indications: massage
above area
Contraindications:
Do not work directly on the area involved
Torticollis
Definition: wry neck,
asymmetry in the strength or function of the Sternocleidomastoid muscle
causing rotation of the head to one side with a tilt in another direction
(lateral, forward or backwards)
Causes: bad sleeping
position, stress, TMJ, vertebral misalignment, spasm in SCM, emotional
trauma,
Signs/Symptoms: pain,
lack of rotation of the neck
Indications: massage
to relieve muscle contraction, realign problem areas, lengthen SCM
Contraindications:
none; Refer to appropriate health care practitioner.
Tuberculosis
Definition: infectious
disease of the lungs
Causes: bacterial
Signs/Symptoms: flulike
symptoms, cough, chest pain, fever, night sweats, shortness of breath
Indications:N/A
Contraindications:
Refer to Physician; Highly contagious
